Older women’s pathways out of homelessness in Australia

This study examines pathways out of homelessness for older women in Australia. It seeks to understand the range of possible responses and program models that would assist in addressing their homelessness. It explicitly intends to inform the service sector.In Australia there has been increasing attention to older women’s homelessness. This attention has been comprehensive with reports in the media, requested briefings by both State and Commonwealth Governments with service providers, peak bodies and researchers on trends and responses, as well as anecdotal reports from service providers of increasing numbers of older women seeking assistance. This focus on older women sits alongside increasing recognition of older people’s homelessness in Australia. Following recommendations in the Australian Government’s (2008) ‘White Paper’ on homelessness, there have been legislative changes as well as funding of specialised aged care facilities to specifically address the needs of older people experiencing chronic homelessness. Homelessness has been acknowledged in the aged care reform package, Living longer. Living better (Australian Government 2012). There has also been a number of important research projects undertaken all seeking to examine older Australian’s homelessness. The increased recognition in Australia is not seen in other countries: there is a pervasive lack of attention internationally to older women’s (and older people’s) homelessness.This study aims to contribute to the evidence base about programs and practice models that achieve housing outcomes for older women in Australia. Building on existing knowledge drawn from small but influential research studies undertaken recently on the experiences of older women leading up to their homelessness, this study examines service provision. It draws on new empirical material gathered within Australia and internationally from stakeholders with working practice knowledge in relation to older homeless women.